RoBowl XIV

RoBowl XIV was the championship game of the 2024 National American Football Championship of Romania (CNFA), determining the national champion of the Romanian American football season. The final took place on November 23, 2024, at the Mircea Chivu Stadium in Reșița,^[1] Romania. The game featured Banat Team and Bucharest Rebels, with the Rebels winning their fifth consecutive national title and eighth overall by a score of 48–19.^[2]

The National American Football Championship of Romania (CNFA) is the premier American football competition in Romania. RoBowl XIV marked the fourteenth edition of the championship final.

Banat Team was formed as a temporary merger between Reșița Locomotives and Timișoara 89ers, two American football teams from the Banat region. The team reached RoBowl XIV after a dominant 62–24 victory over Bucharest Titans in the semifinals.^[3] Following Reșița Locomotives' appearance in the 2023 championship, this marked the second consecutive year a team from Banat faced the Rebels in the final, with RoBowl XIII (2023) ending in a narrow 34–28 victory for the Rebels.

Bucharest Rebels entered the final as the defending champions, having won the previous four consecutive RoBowls and seven national titles in total. They advanced to RoBowl XIV after a commanding 68–6 victory over Cluj Crusaders in the semifinals. The Rebels had been the dominant force in Romanian American football, playing in nine finals before this game.

The game began with both teams failing to score on their opening possessions. Bucharest Rebels were the first to break the deadlock with a 68-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Timothy Morovick to Mihai Buhlea, although they missed the two-point conversion (0–6). Banat Team quickly responded with a 32-yard touchdown reception by Alexandru Pintea, tying the game at 6–6 after missing their own extra point attempt.

In the second quarter, the Rebels took control of the game. Morovick ran for a touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion by Alexandru Irimia, bringing the score to 6–14. A fumble recovery allowed Bucharest Rebels to extend their lead with another touchdown by Buhlea. Banat Team narrowed the gap with a 70-yard touchdown catch by Kevin Adams and a successful extra point conversion (13–20). However, Buhlea scored again before halftime, giving Bucharest Rebels a 27–13 lead at the break.

The second half was dominated by the Bucharest Rebels, as Banat Team struggled with turnovers and penalties. A key interception early in the third quarter further tilted the game in favor of the Rebels. Adding to their woes, Banat Team’s Alexandru Pintea was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Rebels capitalized on Banat Team’s errors, scoring three consecutive touchdowns through Mugurel Vlad, Buhlea, and Morovick. Daniel Duta added a two-point conversion, extending the lead to 13–48. In the final minutes, Kevin Adams managed a consolation touchdown for Banat Team, but they missed the extra point, ending the game at 19–48.^[4]

With this victory, Bucharest Rebels secured their fifth consecutive national title and eighth in total, cementing their status as the most successful American football team in Romania. Banat Team became the third different team from the Banat region to lose a RoBowl final.

The match was highly charged, with tensions running high both on and off the field. During the game, spectators threw snowballs into the visiting team's area. The atmosphere remained heated even after the final whistle.

Following the game, an altercation occurred involving members of the home team and the officiating crew. Members of the home team allegedly confronted and assaulted members of the officiating crew physically as the referees were leaving the field. A member of the officiating crew was left bruised after trying to defuse the situation. The incident escalated after verbal threats were allegedly made toward the referees during the fourth quarter.

The league has launched an investigation into the events. Potential disciplinary actions are expected to follow as part of the review process.

Bucharest Rebels have now appeared in ten championship games, winning eight.

The Rebels have won every RoBowl final they have played since 2019.

This was the second consecutive final lost by a team from the Banat region (Reșița Locomotives in 2023) and the fifth overall, following Timișoara 89ers' losses in 2013, 2014, and 2019. Notably, four of these defeats came at the hands of Bucharest Rebels.^[5]